Suspension options - FSDs or VMAXX Coilovers?

[cheezemonkhai]

What about the KW street comforms, they look like varient 2, but more like the FSD in terms of suitable for poor roads too.

[RobClubley]

More options:

Genuine Skoda shocks (the same as currently in vehicle)

Front shocks - $256.55 + GST each

Rear shocks - $119.79 + GST each

Delivery time for these shocks will be around 7 days.

$753.85

Bilstein B8 shocks

Front shocks - $330.92 + GST each

Rear shocks - $205.87 + GST each

Dust covers - $74.58 + GST

Delivery time for these shocks will be 10-14 days.

$1406.51

Koni FSD

$1453.20 + GST

Delivery time for these shocks will be around 3-4 weeks.

$1671.18

[RobClubley]

Have to admit I am tempted. The Bilsteins get glowing reviews everywhere whereas other options get mixed opinions.

[Oet]

what springs would you be using with the b8s?

[GarryC]

Bilstein shocks are very very good shocks.

The B8s are designed for quite low cars though, so i would suggest the B6 shocks instead

[RobClubley]

I have a new set of Vogtland 10-15mm lowering springs.

[martziniuk]

I had the FSD/H&R combo and did not like them, I found them too bouncy and tbh spoiled the ride from standard. I would go coilovers if I were to do it again.

[RobClubley]

Bilstein shocks are very very good shocks.

The B8s are designed for quite low cars though, so i would suggest the B6 shocks instead

I had a read up on this and from what I can find the B6 is for standard height or some lowering, the B8 for lowering of 30mm or more. I guess it depends whether they mean the standard Octavia height or the standard vRS height.

As the vRS is 15mm lower than standard and the springs will lower another 10-15mm.

[GarryC]

Thats right, the B8s have shortened rods for cars with more of a drop. As Bilstein make specific shocks for the VRS they will be designed for the lowered height of the VRS.

As you are only dropping it around 15-20 mm i would use the B6 as they will offer a more comfortable ride compared to the shorter (and stiffer) B8s.

I hope it helps but im sure it has just added to your confusion

[okenobi]

Thats right, the B8s have shortened rods for cars with more of a drop. As Bilstein make specific shocks for the VRS they will be designed for the lowered height of the VRS.

As you are only dropping it around 15-20 mm i would use the B6 as they will offer a more comfortable ride compared to the shorter (and stiffer) B8s.

I hope it helps but im sure it has just added to your confusion

Garry, you seem to have plenty of info on these things. Given a need for better than stock handling, but smoother ride than coilys generally offer, what would you personally have? And why did you choose your H&Rs and how have you found them?

[RobClubley]

Talking of the H&Rs - I nearly bought a set a couple of years ago in a stock clearance for $600 - at the time I didn't realise they were worth $2,500 and talked myself out of it on the grounds that I would have needed a $500 cert for the car.

Doh!!

[RobClubley]

Thats right, the B8s have shortened rods for cars with more of a drop. As Bilstein make specific shocks for the VRS they will be designed for the lowered height of the VRS.

As you are only dropping it around 15-20 mm i would use the B6 as they will offer a more comfortable ride compared to the shorter (and stiffer) B8s.

I hope it helps but im sure it has just added to your confusion

Okay from what I can gather the same B6 rear shock - BE3-2800 is recommended for all Octavia Estates but the fronts are different between the RS and the 1.8t.

Looking at the pictures that might just be for the different drop link/ARB setups?

What I'm gathering is the the B6 and B8 are identical except the B8 strut is 30mm shorter for lower cars.

The vRS is 15mm lower than a 1.8t and the springs I have will lower another 10-15mm

So from a standard 1.8t I'd be lowering about 30mm. If I went for the B6s they'd be on their lowering limit. But the B8s would be at their upper limit.

Which is best?

Confused now.

[faboka vrs]

Check out bilsteins site. They will recommend what you need. For the Fabia vRS they recommend only B8's But your right both the same just B8's are shorter.

[Bowders1]

Okay from what I can gather the same B6 rear shock - BE3-2800 is recommended for all Octavia Estates but the fronts are different between the RS and the 1.8t.

Looking at the pictures that might just be for the different drop link/ARB setups?

What I'm gathering is the the B6 and B8 are identical except the B8 strut is 30mm shorter for lower cars.

The vRS is 15mm lower than a 1.8t and the springs I have will lower another 10-15mm

So from a standard 1.8t I'd be lowering about 30mm. If I went for the B6s they'd be on their lowering limit. But the B8s would be at their upper limit.

Which is best?

Confused now.

Hi Rob are you sure the VRS is only 15mm lower, i thought it was 25mm lower, oh wait maybe the 1.8t is 10mm lower than a sandard Octy which would then make the VRS 25mm lower than a standard Octy??

Edited 1 October, 2010 by Bowders1

[RobClubley]

Check out bilsteins site. They will recommend what you need. For the Fabia vRS they recommend only B8's But your right both the same just B8's are shorter.

Their site recommends both B6 and B8 for the vRS

Hi Rob are you sure the VRS is only 15mm lower, i thought it was 25mm lower, oh wait maybe the 1.8t is 10mm lower than a sandard Octy which would then make the VRS 25mm lower than a standard Octy??

From the official brochure:

Clearance: 119mm on Octavia vRS. 151mm on Octavia 4x4 (Estate). 134mm on Octavia (Hatch & Estate)

[RobClubley]

I think it's the VMAXX coilovers after all. He just knocked $100 off the price and free delivery.

So bugger it I'll give them a shot.

[Bowders1]

Go on Rob go for it. Nice to have a change to the other stuff. The VW forums love those, so can't be bad.

[RobClubley]

Ordered.

And I may have accidentally also bought the ABD intake manifold that they had in stock

[RobClubley]

Finally have these installed after a bit of a farce where they supplied non-vRS ones with no ARB bracket then the new ones got stuck in Europe so it took ages for them to arrive. Then I went on hols so haven't been able to fit them until now.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

They feel pretty good. Much firmer but not crashy. Still fine-tuning the height and stuff. I had them higher until today and the ride was a bit jiggly on my love handles but now I've dropped it a bit it's much better.

[Kenny R]

Rob, how does the xenon levelling cope with the change in ride hight? I have thought about changing my suspension but I'm put off by the thought of it mucking up the xenons.

[RobClubley]

Good point. Will let you know.

[RichOctVrs]

Rob, completely off topic but... wow, that scenery is fantastic, is it really your place or did you hire a film location

V jealous.

[RobClubley]

That's my front garden Looking rather unkempt at the moment.

View from our front deck:

[Jigger72]

Rob, completely off topic but... wow, that scenery is fantastic, is it really your place or did you hire a film location

V jealous.

That's exactly what I was thinking

It looks absolutely stunning. Now where's that number for the emigration department?

[RobClubley]

Little bit more low